U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks: Can Nuclear Diplomacy be Revived?
Both the United States and Iran have recently signaled interest in reopening negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Yet, neither the attacks on Iranian nuclear sites nor the collapse of earlier diplomatic rounds has meaningfully changed Iran’s willingness to abandon its uranium enrichment efforts.
Previous diplomatic efforts continued until a series of escalating events pushed the region to the brink of conflict. In April and May 2025, the United States and Iran held five rounds of direct nuclear negotiations surrounding Iran’s uranium enrichment program and had scheduled a sixth session for June. These were the first direct talks regarding Iran’s nuclear program since the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal during Trump’s first term.
However, just days before their June meeting, Israel attacked Iranian military and nuclear facilities. This was followed by Iranian attacks on Israeli military and civilian infrastructure, subsequent U.S. bombardment of three Iranian nuclear facilities, and Iranian missile attacks at an American air base in Qatar. A ceasefire between Iran and Israel ultimately ended what is now known as the Twelve Day War, but the diplomatic momentum was lost.
Following the U.S. strikes on the three nuclear facilities, Trump declared that Iran’s nuclear enrichment program had been “obliterated” despite a U.S. intelligence assessment concluding that the program remained largely intact. Regional analysts have expressed their concern that these attacks may have only strengthened Iran’s resolve to accelerate nuclear development.
This conflict demonstrated the willingness of Iran, Israel, and the United States to engage in direct military action against one another, which was previously unprecedented, and emphasizes how Iran’s nuclear capabilities and refusal to halt its uranium enrichment may lead to further conflict in the region.
Since the Twelve Day War, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been unable to inspect what remains of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Prior to Israeli attacks, the IAEA reported that Iran was not meeting its nuclear nonproliferation obligations. Iranian officials claimed those findings were cover for Israeli attacks, and Iran has not cooperated with IAEA inspections since. The actual state of Iran’s nuclear sites is unclear at present, but Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister recently stated that its program is still operational.
Iran continues to claim that its uranium enrichment is solely for peaceful purposes, such as power generation and medical needs. Inspectors, however, have doubted that such highly enriched uranium is necessary for those purposes. They warn that the quantity of uranium Iran has enriched to 60% is enough to fuel ten nuclear bombs, and if it can enrich to 90%, that would be enough to produce a nuclear weapon. Western powers and Israel have accused Iran of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover for developing nuclear weapons. Both Trump and Netanyahu have stressed that military action will continue if Iran continues its uranium enrichment.
Despite Iran’s refusal to end its enrichment program and its recent withdrawal from an agreement permitting renewed international inspections of its nuclear sites, Iran has recently shown a continued effort toward renewed peace talks. In particular, Iran has sought Saudi Arabia’s assistance in mediating between Iran and the United States, asking the Saudis to persuade the United States to continue nuclear talks ahead of the Crown Prince’s visit to Washington.
Whether this represents a genuine opening or merely diplomatic signaling remains unclear. What is clear is that the region stands at a precarious moment. Without meaningful progress toward renewed negotiations, the risk of further military escalation and even a potential nuclear crisis will continue to grow.